The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-08-24

ed only $50. whi.c the eighteen societies that
have visited had in cash and subscriptions
$500 or 5000" Now, we ask Mr. Law to answer
In all candor If this is "a plain and incontro'
yertable fact?" We ask him to say whether
t. is not to the reader misleading statement?
Hasn't the Abbevlle District Bible Society
alone given him more than $50, including life
membership fees?
Especial attention Is asked to Mr.. Laws
manner OF magnirying the liberaity and gen.
erosity Of the American Bible Society, even
In its banking affairs, or money-lending, or
money! Investing department. Where does
this Society get its money, If not from the
peopleo From what source do It's officers
draw their splendid salaries? From what
source do they get the money to pay colpor-
teurs, printers, book binders and paper MAX
ers? Doesn't 1t come from the people? Is 1t
not the generous gift Of the people? Let Mr..
Law answer. Let him not deny due and pro-
per credit to the people who are conscientious
ly contributing their money for what they
suppose to be a good cause.
The life membership fees are in fact dona-
ton to the American Bible Society, though
technically something else. which fact ena-
bles such officers ms Mr.. Law to deny proper
credit TO the people for even the Christian
spirit which prompts many of them to self
denial that they be enabled to pay their an
nual fees to good cause.
While ignoring the people, and speaking to
US as If we were the recipient Of favors, he
would claim great things for q Society which
we believe never gave dollar or aBible to any
human being on the face of the earth, which
was not first given to 1t. The American Bible
Society Is the agent of the people i'm perform
Ing the good work of the people. The officers
of the society, we presume, are paid liberal
salaries for oil they do. If any officer gives
his services we would not treat him as Mr..
Law has treated our people, in denying them
credit for humble and unpretentious efforts
to advance the Bible cause.
Let Mr.. Law do the fair thing by this people
and acknowledge the fact and the truth OF
the matter. We are all workers in the Bible
cause, and there is no use for Mr.. Law to mag
Nifty the Society while belittling the people.
The question is upon Mr.. Laws speech at
Abbeville, and his letter In justification. The
speech was, in our opinion, too much on the
order of the modern evangelist, and the letter
would seem to deny the due and proper which
n fair minded man would usually accord.
If we mistake not former agents OF the Bible
Society said pleasant things to US.
Mr.. Law asks us to note that he did not ask
US for one cent. The note is made. We
gave him 500, nevcrthel eless When he shows
any appreciation of the act, or Acknowledges
the generosity Of the people, we will make
another mote"
Mp Tn, ocl lyg M fDl1nNyinu nn0SttOn.
"Now, I ask you and your readers =.
whether your people pay double price for III
they get from the American Bible Society J.
And show me. If you can, publisher any
make such arrangements. and would do so
every day In the year.
To explain the meaning of this question, or
these questions, 1t will be necessary TO repro
ducc the statement TO which reference Is had,
which Is as follows:
"To put tho n,atterplalnly and clearly be-
fore the people, the Abbeville District Bible
Society ut It's last meeting gave the Parent
Society sixty dollars. and now we have the
dollars worth Of Bibles at cost-or in OTHER
words. we can get $50 or SO worth of Bibles for
"As q matter OF fact publishers any where
would be exceedingly glad to make such mr.
rangcments, and would do so every day In
the year. Any merchant in the town would
be glad to sell his goods on the same terms
ut cost-if the purchaser would In addition to
paying for what he bought, make gift OF
money equal TO the amount Of goods SO sold"
We can not express the idea in plain
er terms. If Mr.. Law would call on Brother
Petty, at the Spartan office, he might get light
OH the subject.
Let it not be forgotten that the Abbcyille
District Bible Society annually contributes
about half of It's receipts to tile American Bl.
BILE Society. by the purchase Of life member.
ships or otherwise, in the belief that we are
con trlbuting something to aid the Society In
distributing Bibles among the destitute, but
Mr.. Law considers the purchase of life mem
bcrships mere business transaction.
Except for the bcicfthat our people are aid.
Ing the Bible Society in its good work, no.
body would make the Investment. Mr. Law
couldn't find an idiot in Abbcville county
who would make such an Investments on bust
ness princlples-as he construes the act
If any proof was necessary as to the justice
Of our first criticism, Mr. Laws letter furnish
es 1t.